my 1 year old has been refusing to eat for several weeks

[digscorp25]

My little boy is just 12 months old and for the last 2 months he is being really picky with food. He will mainly just eat bread, yoghurt, and bananas. He will rarely eat jarred food and won't even entertain chicken, vegetables, eggs or pasta. I don't know what to do as he now kicks and screams whenever I put him in the high chair. Mealtimes are so stressful and normally end in tears. He only has two 8 oz bottles of milk a day and not always that much.Please help

[redcrx]

a few things to try.

1) dont get stressed about it, he will pick up on that and use it for attention
2) dont force him to eat, just contnue your meal and offer him exactly as you have
3) try keeping lots of snacks (vegatables, cheese, fruit) near where he is playing and praise him if he eats any, dont worry if he doesnt.
4) try and change his mealtimes, he may be tired at teat time, bring the time forward.
5) if theres a point during the day where he will eat then encourage him at that time.
6) if he likes bananas then mash some up with porridge or something for breakfast.
7) with bread, try eggy bread or cheese on toast
8) let him watch you make his food and try and gain his interest.

At the end of the day hes unlikely to starve, he will eat something.

also try having a word with your health visitor for ideas.

Dont worry though, nearly all toddlers go through a stage of refusing to eat certain things and apparently it takes 7 attempts at offering a new food before a child will try it.

[tigwig]

I have been in exactly your situation only my daughter was around 18 months when she did this. His diet actually doesn't sound that unhealthy, my little girl would only eat chicken nuggets, toast and sausage rolls! This went on for around 2 years and she was referred to a psychologist but by this time she had started to try new foods and now eats almost normally so there is hope for you!
Children will normally never starve themselves (only my daughter!) so just try to relax and never let him see it bothers you. He is almost certainly doing it for a reaction it is amazing how kids pick up on this. Offer him the food, give him chance to eat it by himself and if he refuses just take it away without any fuss. Do not comment and only offer small amount of fruit instead. It is hard but I'm sure if you persist he will begin to eat properly again. The first time he does make a massive fuss and really go OTT about how clever he is, he will learn it is better to get your attention this way. Good luck!